New Children’s Novel Sends Young ‘Bible Detectives’ Into the Tunnels Beneath Old Jerusalem

Balle Balle Radio™ Entertainment Desk

Michal Ann Atkinson has released a new middle-grade novel, "Jericho Jordan Bible Detective: The Mystery Beneath Jerusalem," published through Covenant Books. The book follows two young investigators, Jericho Jordan and Kensley Kingsley, as they descend 104 feet into caves and ancient Jebusite water tunnels beneath Old Jerusalem, searching for evidence tied to a structure the story places at 1004 BC.

With two decades of teaching experience, Atkinson transitioned from the classroom to writing fiction. She has said her approach to teaching and to writing share a common root: starting with something that grabs attention immediately, then letting curiosity do the rest. That approach traces back to her own childhood, when her parents’ interest in ancient civilizations took her to historical and religious sites across Jerusalem, Persepolis, Athens, Rome, Damascus, Babylon and Jericho, journeys she credits with shaping how she thinks about teaching history.

The novel is built around a real feature of Jerusalem’s archaeology: the city sits above a documented network of ancient tunnels and water systems, including structures linked to the Jebusite period, which have drawn sustained interest from archaeologists and have featured in a steady stream of discoveries and documentaries about the region’s biblical-era history. Atkinson’s book uses that setting as the backdrop for a mystery plot, pairing the two child detectives against narrow passages and shadowy chambers as they piece together clues.

"Behind everything I write is the desire to show readers just how captivating the Bible is and to inspire them to become Bible detectives themselves, following clues and discovering truth at their own pace," Atkinson said, according to the announcement.

The book is available at bookstores and through the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play and Barnes & Noble.

Studio CarryOnHarry’s interest here is less in the publishing deal and more in the premise: pairing an actual, ongoing field of archaeological inquiry with a children’s mystery format is a sturdy way to make history feel immediate rather than assigned reading, and it’s a format worth watching for more entries in Atkinson’s apparent series.

Read more People’s Choice stories on Studio CarryOnHarry. Reporting via Live News Vault.

Are you an author with a new release? We’re always looking for books to cover and authors to interview — tell us about yours here.

Press Releases at Studio CarryOnHarry